The Flocking Feeling of Helpless Dread

bobhamlin · 09-08-2009, 08:27 AM

My morning commute is mostly in the dark--dawn happens along the way. Dawn is when birds -- such as starlings -- start flying. Starlings tend to flock. During the summer, the flocks tend to be groups that slept together in the same tree. Significant, but not awe-inspiring.

End-of-summer flocks, on the other hand, are like watching the aeronautical version of schooling bait fish. Zillions of individual members in a mesmerizing choreography. They must be prepping for migration. The enormity of the flocks is awe-inspiring, unless one realizes that one is going to ride directly under that awe-inspiring display. At that point, my only inspiration was to mutter a doom-and-gloom "Oh, sh*t."

Trapped and helpless: the flight path of that humongous flock was directly over the slow I270 traffic. I was going to pass directly under what seemed to be all the starlings in the mid-Atlantic region. Just last night, I had watched the "Battle of Midway" on the Military Channel's On-Demand. This must be what the Japanese carriers felt like when the second wave of U.S. planes appeared and their fighters were not around for protection.

Luckily, I WAS wearing my raingear (scattered showers this morning) -- but only my half helmet. I could only proceed.

I tilted my head down, scrunched up my shoulders, shrunk behind the windshield, sealed my lips tightly, and rode on. The flock seemed to be never-ending -- but eventually did.

No hits at all. I better be careful the rest of the day, since I used up a lot of luck already.

**cnc** · 09-08-2009, 08:41 AM

I had a similar experience the other day. Amazed at the size of the flock and preparing for the worst, but no bombs were dropped, at least not on me. Thoughts of Alfred Hitchcock's movie the birds came to mind, which scared the hell out of me as a kid. :)

fish · 09-08-2009, 08:56 AM

As a kid we would run and holler through a patch of woods that the grackles (black birds) would roust in for the night. And yes we did get bombarded

This was when kids went out side :)

skeeter · 09-08-2009, 11:39 PM

your making me laugh. thanks.

bobhamlin · 09-09-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter

your making me laugh. thanks.

Aw-right! Proud to be of service.

Next time, we'll try to make you blow coffee all over your keyboard. Deal?

09-08-2009, 08:27 AM	#1
bobhamlin Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Thurmont MD Posts: 760	The Flocking Feeling of Helpless Dread My morning commute is mostly in the dark--dawn happens along the way. Dawn is when birds -- such as starlings -- start flying. Starlings tend to flock. During the summer, the flocks tend to be groups that slept together in the same tree. Significant, but not awe-inspiring. End-of-summer flocks, on the other hand, are like watching the aeronautical version of schooling bait fish. Zillions of individual members in a mesmerizing choreography. They must be prepping for migration. The enormity of the flocks is awe-inspiring, unless one realizes that one is going to ride directly under that awe-inspiring display. At that point, my only inspiration was to mutter a doom-and-gloom "Oh, sh*t." Trapped and helpless: the flight path of that humongous flock was directly over the slow I270 traffic. I was going to pass directly under what seemed to be all the starlings in the mid-Atlantic region. Just last night, I had watched the "Battle of Midway" on the Military Channel's On-Demand. This must be what the Japanese carriers felt like when the second wave of U.S. planes appeared and their fighters were not around for protection. Luckily, I WAS wearing my raingear (scattered showers this morning) -- but only my half helmet. I could only proceed. I tilted my head down, scrunched up my shoulders, shrunk behind the windshield, sealed my lips tightly, and rode on. The flock seemed to be never-ending -- but eventually did. No hits at all. I better be careful the rest of the day, since I used up a lot of luck already. __________________ Bob Hamlin RC PGR '06 VN1600D6F Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-08-2009, 08:41 AM	#2
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	The Flocking Feeling of Helpless Dread I had a similar experience the other day. Amazed at the size of the flock and preparing for the worst, but no bombs were dropped, at least not on me. Thoughts of Alfred Hitchcock's movie the birds came to mind, which scared the hell out of me as a kid. :) __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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09-08-2009, 08:56 AM	#3
fish Top Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aquashicola Pa. Posts: 6,377	The Flocking Feeling of Helpless Dread As a kid we would run and holler through a patch of woods that the grackles (black birds) would roust in for the night. And yes we did get bombarded This was when kids went out side :) __________________ I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
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09-08-2009, 11:39 PM	#4
skeeter Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kerrville Tx Posts: 1,713	The Flocking Feeling of Helpless Dread your making me laugh. thanks. __________________ Robert(skeeter)Dozier 07 Red&Titanium Nomad 81 Suzuki 850GL KawaNow pre#
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